Facial Love

I am always on a quest for the perfect facial mask that actually works, ya know shrink the ever expanding pores on my face, de-wrinkle if possible. I have spent countless dollars hunting for this miracle worker and have 1/4 used bottles littering my bathroom cabinets. The people that write the descriptions for said products are the best bull-shitters on the planet. I spend countless hours trying to figure out which one to buy. Get home all excited to use these bottles of gold only to be disappointed that nothing has changed. Sure my skin feels smoother for one day, but it looks the same.

Recently, an old friend mentioned a miracle clay at Whole Foods that cost a whopping $5.99. Naturally, I left work and went straight to WF to get this stuff...couldn't wait to get home and try it. All reviews talked about the pulsating feeling in your face and all kinds of fireworks coming from this special clay.

I'm not gonna lie this stuff rocks. It dries so tight I couldn't move my lips, which of course sent me into a fit of laughter, not recommended. Granted I can't say anything for sure yet. Directions say to use once a week so I'll follow this routine for a month then judge.

Here's a pic of what it looks like on one's face.

Another Love

Not quite an obsession, at least not yet, but a definite love for Black Swan Yoga. After dealing with my stress fracture and my health hitting an all time low last year I knew it was time to get serious with my stretching routine or lack there of.

I finally bit the bullet sometime last spring and decided to go to some yoga classes. At the time I was working retail so for once in my life I could attend the wacky hours of a yoga class. They always seem to have classes starting at 9am, which made me think perhaps, this hippie habit is really for the trust fund babies (disclaimer- I have no problem w/ hippies or those with trust funds) just trying to get my stretch on, and yoga classes are offered at some odd ball times, alright getting back to my point. This whole post is about my new found love for yoga. I'll be honest I would only attend classes were the attendance was rather low. I was pretty sure I would topple at some point during a class causing a domino effect and taking a whole row of people down with me. If you've ever wondered about the lack of balance in my feet join me in a yoga class, I should be embarrassed.

The first class I ever attended was sweaty yoga. I'm not sure on the temp maybe 97/100 degrees. Plenty hot in my humble opinion. I walked in, first girl I spot is chillin' in a head stand, I almost about faced and sprinted out of the joint, but no, I prevailed into the back corner for a private spot. I had done no research on sweaty yoga, so really wasn't sure what to expect for my first class. Let's just say I was about to get schooled in some hot yoga fast. About the time we are on the ground on our backs and my naval is shoved upside my nose I realized I did NOT allow enough time for my lunch to be digested. However, if I was going to vomit and didn't want anyone to know this was the position to be in...lesson 1 learned.

Fast forward to lately. I wasn't religious about my yoga but was slowly getting into it. I could hardly do any of the challenge poses they mention in order to get in a deeper stretch...apparently, I was so stiff when starting out that that was challenge enough for me. However, lately I'm able to pull some stunts I didn't know possible. All I've wanted to do this whole post (assuming you aren't drooling on your keyboard yet) was brag about some positions I can bust out. That really doesn't sound good, but not meant to be perverted, I swear. My friend, Christine, is my good luck charm...whenever we go together I can push a little further and do an extra challenge I never thought possible. I was with her the first time I busted out the wheel. Oh my, my lower abdomen is some kinda tight. What's a wheel you ask? Ah, visuals, my fav.

Oh, this never hurt so good. I was stoked to finally be able to hold this position. I love it know when the instructor says towards the end of class if there is a pose you wish to hold in order to complete your practice now is the time. Oh, yeah baby, now I have one! The superstars do their headstand, showoffs!

Ok, 2 weeks ago, Christine and I attend another class. We're in January and to say the class is crowded is an understatement. We're so close it's about to become partner yoga. WOW! Resolouters are killin' my workouts. This class we're going through poses and the instructor, Tyler (my fav) is setting us up for a balancing act. He's leading us in and I've never held this pose before. All of a sudden I realize I'm in it, like holy shit! Check me out. NOW! I'm petrified to breathe to say anything, but I totally need to be noticed, much like a toddler when he goes #2 in the potty all by himself. One should be so proud.

And the crow pose looks like:

Needless to say I'm really diggin' the yoga classes at Black Swan. I think I've found the day that works best for me and slowly but surely, I'm going to unravel this mess of tight muscles I've created.

Current Obsession

More than likely the second I hit post this obsession will be old news to me and I will have moved on in my color world. This has been on my mind for quite sometime, but can't seem to get around to sharing such exciting news...party of 1 I'm sure! I am in LOVE, like take my breath away make my heart skip beats kinda love, with peacock blue...sometimes leaning towards turquoise in shade and sometimes leaning towards navy. I think I've always loved blue...growing up my parents foyer was a deep navy, and I loved the boldness of it. Being the visual person that I am I will show my love through the various pix I've found online.



http://www.sosmartalec.blogspot.com/

I love the simplicity and strength of the color in this living room, very soothing.



southernaccents.com

 I think the boldness of this library speaks for itself. Another obsession of mine is layers in a room...

And if you don't wanna paint a room you can always put in your wardrobe;-)

Now time for a new obsession!

50 Years Ago Today

January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy delivered his Inaugural Address. Obviously, I wasn't around but the following quote from his address is something I think we all remember: "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

More LOVE

"What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."
~Author Unknown

Aerial Dancing

One of my goals for 2011 is to build up my core strength and get my entire body back in shape...not just running shape the whole thing, arms, butt, mid-section you get my drift. I will say I have absolutely NO desire whatsoever to join a crossfit or boot camp class...great for those that enjoy them it's not my story and therefore, I will never achieve this entire body back in shape goal I'm after...Now, for some that know me, my biggest dream in life is to be a solid gold dancer. I know they cancelled the show way back when, but I've never lost hope to be one.

A gal I didn't know before tonight, but I've followed her blog for the past year posted about aerial dancing. I thought this is the ticket, just what I need to do to work on the whole body and it incorporates dancing...something I love. What is aerial dancing...let me give you some visuals.

Ok, I don't look anything like that at the moment, but I think in 12 weeks there is hope. I'm not gonna lie my lower abdomen already hurts. I don't know what I expected from a first class but I think we covered some ground tonight. I did imagine hanging upside down, which I got to do and it looked like this:

It's amazing how the silk can just hold you in place. We also climbed those things like monkeys...wow, have I got some strength building to do. Can't wait to see what we do on Thurs.

1/11/11- Jenny's Day/Year!!!

So, I think today's date is U-B-E-R cool...it's also my Lil Sis' b-day, DOUBLE cool. Naturally, she's unexcited to be having a b-day with a new number, but seriously, I think this date is the best...it's gonna be
her best year yet!!! I've also announced this super cool b-day date to my office;-) Good thing she lives in Dallas...It was also pointed out to me that you can really geek out with !/!!/!!. I'll add a pic this evening once I'm home!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNY JOHNSON FRANCES JJ, PENELOPE!!!

Love

Photo by seis.bris.ac.uk

It's official my New Year New Word is going to be LOVE.
Not the typical sappy meaning of love, although I think falling in love is spectacular and it's part of the reason...
The word love makes me smile. It's a happy word no matter what. I want more of happy. Love makes me think of the sunshine, fresh flowers, it reminds me to be grateful, graceful and kind.

 

Photo from allbestwallpapers.com

  

Now I will admit I chose this word even before the          new year began...but as luck would have it my first  week into the new year was anything but love. So I had to spend the weekend adjusting my attitude  and now I'm putting it out there!

Graphic from kealajacobs.blogspot.com

So thank you Tolly for the idea of a word in place of resolutions.

6,996 gr/ms

That number may be the death of me...it's a cedar high and apparently, the highest count Austin has seen since 2004. I didn't live here at the time. In fact the first 2 years I lived here I didn't have an allergy to cedar. Then came my third year and I thought I had the flu...FOREVER! I started talking to people and everyone said the same thing...oh, when I first moved here cedar didn't bother me, then my 3rd year it hit. Well, same thing happened to me.

Today was brutal, words can't even begin to describe my discomfort. I will use picture descriptions to explain my day. 1st part of day spent in various meetings, here's what I looked like

I was that annoying gal that couldn't stop....however, this action got me out early. Feel free to try this the next time your stuck in an uneventful meeting.

I got an IM from a friend that wanted to meet in our cafe for lunch for maybe 20 minutes. I said sure but I must warn you my nose is totally stuffed and in order to eat I have to stop mid-chew and breathe. Eating with a stopped up nose makes me feel like a dog dying of thirst in the Austin summer heat. Here's me at lunch:

This look totally elevates my sex appeal, wouldn't you agree?

It has been a long day and I don't think my nose is tired of running yet. I will say it's good to be home where I can use my sinus squeeze bottle to help with the clogged parts. Is there a max number of times one squirt saline/hot water through their nose??? Usually, you use half the bottle per nostril...I'm using 2 full bottles per nostril. Not sure this is good for me. 

Red Bows & Architecture

Oh, NYC, I love you so...The best decision I made this past fall was to defer the NYC marathon once again and go to New York for a vacation without a race. It was just what the doctor ordered, especially, since I just started a new job...of course you should go on vacay after 1 week of real world life.

I love the red bow wrapped around the Cartier building with the flags flying out front...great bold colors! Yes, I'd love a building for Christmas. Thanks!
More pix can be found here: www.flikr.com/kjsouthernbelle

Thanks Mel!

"Your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life." ~ Steve Jobs

I was logging on to post the above quote when my friend, Mel, sent me the following quote. Thanks so much for thinking of me Mel.

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

No Title

If I have just one aim,
And if that aim is to be myself,
Then I am bound to discover joy,
True joy, eternal joy.

If you can create harmony
In your own life,
This harmony will enter
Into the vast world.

The transformation of life
Begins with a soulful smile
Of the heart.

At the dawn of each day,
Let us make our hopes
And promises
As sincere and powerful
As possible.

~ Sri Chinmoy

Thanks for sharing, Harmony & Home.

Belated Merry Christmas to all!!!

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have a real spirit of Christmas."  ~Calvin Coolidge

Live

Something I came across perusing another designer's blog(La Dolce Vida). Naturally, I fell in love with it. Hope you enjoy it too!!!

New Year Word

I stole this title from a blog I love to read...she’s the cutest person ever (Tolly), nevermind the fact I’ve never met her. Her writing makes me feel like I’ve known her for years. Here’s the thing I’ve never done resolutions because they last all of a nano-second for me. I do however make goals for the new year then do a check-up re-evaluation on my b-day, which is close to the half-way point of the year. The thought Tolly shared was she chooses a new year word to live by. I really like this idea. The word tends to help make your goals a reality instead of white noise written on paper. I’ve been throwing around some words but haven’t completely settled on one.

Here's what I've thought of so far:
Love- Love what I do, love the people I’m with, fall in love, love life and all that it entails. This word also makes my heart smile. I feel like anytime you’re smiling life is infinitely better.

Calm- Breathe more. Stop smell the roses. Slow down in general. I have days where I feel like life is passing me by, like where did 2010 go. I swear I just graduated last month, but no, it’s been an entire year. I also like this word to keep me from blowing a gasket when I don’t get my way immediately. My temper seems to be shorter these days and I’m not sure why...clearly, this needs to be remedied, STAT!

Create- Create my lifestyle now that it’s free of school and homework. Create my home. Maybe this will get me to tackle the 400 projects I’ve written down I want to do and haven’t scratched one off the list...again, something that needs to be remedied.

Savor- I just like the sound of this word. Meaning- verb. to give oneself to the enjoyment of: to savor the best in life. Don’t you just love that? I could use this word when creating my weekly schedule. I've got to work on saying no to things, so I ca make room for the things I wish to accomplish. I had no idea I was a yes girl until recently.

What are your thoughts, a word, goal, resolution???

Hope

"For what it's worth: It's never too late, or in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that your not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.


~ Benjamin Button, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I heart Audrey Hepburn

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years. - Audrey Hepburn

Entertaining

Something I've always wanted to do was entertain friends in my home. I find dinner parties to be so fun & intimate. Here's the challenge I don't cook very often. I will say I am slowly working to correct said challenge. I've been going through my binders of table settings...hoping to speed up my cooking skills. Tomorrow I'll be trying out a new turkey chili recipe. Who am I kidding, all recipes for me are a new, try-out kinda thing. Wish me luck! Here are some of the table settings I enjoy.

This is one of my favorite table settings.
I think the flowers make it.

A more simple setting that feels like you'd be
enjoying some robust red wine.

I love these green chairs with a touch
of blue on the table.

Quote

As we express gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Monday Quote

‎"As we become internally directed and stop obsessing with what other people think we should do, what other people think we should say, we learn to let ourselves be and we stop being so focused on ourselves." ~ Alicia Marie Fruin, Coach -

October

"If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
~Henry David Thoreau

True

"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action." ~Benjamin Disraeli

Good Article

Life’s most simple lessons are often the best

BUSINESS COURIER OF CINCINNATI - BY Harvey Mackay COURIER CONTRIBUTOR

Gordon Dean was an American lawyer and prosecutor whose distinguished career was fairly typical for Washington types. He went to work for the Justice Department under President Franklin Roosevelt, taught in the law schools at Duke University and the University of Southern California. He was appointed as one of the original commissioners of the Atomic Energy Commission in 1949 by President Harry Truman, eventually becoming its chairman from 1950-53.

When Dean died in a plane crash in 1958, it’s said that among his personal effects was an envelope with nine life lessons scribbled on the back. These lessons aren’t about the law, or atomic energy, or foreign relations. Rather, they represent wisdom that should be shared and used by people everywhere.

These are his superb lessons:
1. Never lose your capacity for enthusiasm.
2. Never lose your capacity for indignation.
3. Never judge people – don’t type them too quickly. But in a pinch never first assume that a man is bad; first assume that he is good and that, at worst, he is in the gray area between bad and good.
4. Never be impressed by wealth alone or thrown by poverty.
5. If you can’t be generous when it’s hard to be, you won’t be when it’s easy.
6. The greatest builder of confidence is the ability to do something – almost anything – well.
7. When confidence comes, then strive for humility; you aren’t as good as all that.
8. The way to become truly useful is to seek the best that other brains have to offer. Use them to supplement your own, and be prepared to give credit to them when they have helped.
9. The greatest tragedies in the world and personal events stem from misunderstandings. So communicate!

Thanks, Tiny Buddha

Don’t seek, don’t search, don’t ask, don’t knock, don’t demand–relax. If you relax it comes. If you relax it is there. ~Osho

Happy Hump Day!

"Love is the answer, but while you are waiting for the answer sex raises some pretty good questions." - Woody Allen

No pun intended;-)

‎"Letting go of the past means that can you enjoy the dream that is happening right now." ~Don Miguel Ruiz

Monday Quote

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." ~ Thomas Jefferson

I Dig!

"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends whom we choose." - Chinese Proverb

On This Day...

I read this quote, which I've probably posted before, but today is the perfect day for it to be e-mailed to me.


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?" –Marianne Williamson

"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn."
-Gore Vidal

Surprise...

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. -Bill Bradley

The Quote King had this on twitter...I'm now storing quotes on my blog;-)

Exactly

‎"Time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted." ~John Lennon

Ahhh, quotes...

(Lyon Steps in San Francisco. One of my favorite views in the city.)


Though we travel the world over to find the
beautiful, we must carry it with us
or we find it not.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote was on a blog I love to read La Dolce Vita

Is it true?

I had a silly text exchange today with Julia that made me laugh and wonder if what I was asking for was too much.
Reason for the text exchange- I have been hired for an 8 week contract position with STG Design (very exciting!). Hopefully, at the end of 8 weeks there will be more projects and I'll get hired on as a full-time employee.
Julia heard about my exciting news and sends me the following text:
J- "I hear you are a hot item now. What happens now if I ever get a house? How will I afford you?
What will I do?"
Me- "Well, I'm not into the lesbo thing. Perhaps, you can find me a hot suitable, stable, wealthy,
driven, emotionally available man and we call it even.
J-"Uh, would you take something a little easier? A flying purple people eater or something?

I fell out laughing. Apparently, I am asking for too much. Oh, well!

Monday Quote

"Consider what you want people to remember of you and live accordingly." ~Barb Rogers

Agreed!

Life is too short to wake up with regrets! So, love the people who treat you right, forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it... Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it." (unknown)

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
~Anonymous

I Love Winnie the Pooh

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."~ Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh...

Seeing as I have back up issues with my computer I'm now using my blog
as storage for my quotes;-)

Happiness Is...

I'll get to the happiness in just a sec.

About 2 weeks ago I had to face the fact my shuffle was indeed dead. I new it had been
on the brink of death, unfortunately, I wasn't ready for the truth. We made another few months together while spotty on it actually playing while running we made it. Then came the day I needed to recharge it, and my computer wasn't recognizing it. Being the mature person I'm not always capable of being, I thought maybe my USB connection wasn't working that well. Yeah, it's always mature to blame something else instead of facing the cold facts. Later on I needed to print something and that involves using the USB connection and you guessed it my page printed. Still in denial, when I was at my Sister's house in Dallas the other weekend I decided to use her computer to try and charge/revive the shuffle. Guess what, her computer didn't recognize it either. Apparently, I'm being forced to face the cold hearted truth. The shuffle is in fact dead. I know they cost like $50 and I could buy another one...not yet.

Today while in the restroom I had the best revolution, EVER!!! I have an old iPod with ALL of my music on it. Oh, yeah, this means the music I lost when I fried my hard drive still exists. Hell Yeah!!! That's happiness folks! Now, I have to figure out how the heck to sync it to my computer. It keeps telling me it's synced to another computer, but what I don't get is those are cd's I owned...come on iTunes, work with me.

Change

“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want."-Lao-tzu

Oh, boy, here we go...new chapter here I come.

Hmmm...

"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems." ~ John W. Gardner

A dude I follow on Twitter posted this quote, which at the moment is fitting for my life.
His website: http://www.DigYourWork.com/

Agree!

"Success comes from taking the initiative & following up... persisting... eloquently expressing the depth of your love." - Tony Robbins

Story of My Life

“-You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood.
-What mood is that?
-Last-minute panic.”

Calvin & Hobbes quotes (Fictional characters from the comic series created by Bill Watterson.)

Funny

This quote made me laugh.

“Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you're really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I've got a few missing. It's ok though, because I've got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation.. so when I meet someone who's an 8-color type.. I'm like, "hey girl, magenta!" and she's like, "oh, you mean purple!" and she goes off on her purple thing, and I'm like, "no - I want magenta!"”

John Mayer quotes (American pop music Singer and Song Writer. b.1977)

Yeah, I think I'm a 64-color box of crayons too!

“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we're really not that different, me and you.”
Colin Raye quotes

2 for 1

2 quotes 1 post;-)

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.” ~Buddha

“You can do what’s reasonable or you can decide what’s possible.” ~Unknown

Excuse me while I pat myself on the back. 2 posts in one week. Yeah, I know it's way easy to copy & paste,
but I've been thinking about pulling the plug on my blog...pat, pat!

It Might Be Love

I sure hope it is...I've been broken, down and slowly trying to heal this ole body of mine. No, I'm not old but a few injuries rendering my work-outs to zero coupled with my final semester. Well, you get the idea. I'm WAY out of shape. Lemme just say if you've never been here before do NOT ever come here. Once out of shape getting back in is a long tough road.

It's been a slow come back that has involved no running at all. Swimming, yoga and core work. Swimming I'd rather claw my eyeballs out than do. Yoga. I have a new respect for you and am enjoying this work-out. But, the love has been discovered on the green belt. Thanks to gmaps and the green belt actually showing on the map I let go of my fear of getting lost and have been doing just that. Getting lost on the green belt. Oh, how I love being out there.

Today was a new entry point for me, Gus Fruth. I will say I might need some hand holding when dealing with water crossings. I have not mastered this and today was quite the event. I couldn't figure out where I was supposed to cross the first time and there was a live audience, no thank you. So I kept venturing back and forth until I found a more quiet crossing. Ok, what I refer to as quiet is actually rushing water but it looked doable. Note to self clear water does not give the correct depth. After figuring out where i should jump. The first 2 steps good the 3rd and I was on my ass, smack dab in the middle of the current. Let's just say that current is some kinda strong. It was taking my shorts with it. I was laughing and trying to grab my shorts all at the same time. I really wish someone was there to laugh with. Ugh, done but still need to work on it. I think this may be love!!! I can't wait to do it again.

Ouch!

"You are the way you are because that's the way you want to be. If you really wanted to be any different, you would be in the process of changing right now." ~ Fred Smith

Ok, Fred...things are changing;-)

To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable; and
wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think
quietly, talk gently, act frankly...to
listen to stars and buds, to babes and
sages, with open heart; await occasions,
hurry never...this is my symphony.
~ William Henry Channing

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be."
George Sheehan

"Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
Napoleon Hill

Sayings for this Semester

‘Greater the obstacles, more glory in over coming it.’ ~Author Unknown

I also like to repeat to myself, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

Why is my last semester this hair pulling crazy???

And another...

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls." -Audrey Hepburn

Quote Time

"I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." ~ Michael Jordan

PEACE

PEACE. It does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise, trouble
or hard work. It means to be in
the midst of those things and still
be calm in your heart.
~Unknown

Odd

Ok, I'm at home working on my programming binder for my FINAL project. I feel the need to bold the word final and will probably have this need until mid-December when it IS final as in finito. I know I never blog so now that I'm in full on procrastinating mode I may pick the blogging habit up again.

The point of this post is the strangeness of spell check in Word. I don't remember it always being this odd, but then again I'm an American with very little English skills. I still make a point to hit the spell check button and am amazed at how many things Word thinks I should change that are WRONG. Tonight is no different. I hit spell check and it wants me to put a comma in a place that makes no sense then it wants me to change the word people to peopled. On first glance I thought geez, Word has lost it, but as I stated earlier I'm no English wizard and I'm an American. Notice I keep mentioning I'm American, because the name Katie Johnson doesn't scream American loud enough??? Ok, so I decide to test Word and it's spell check knowledge. I look up the word peopled and low and behold there is a definition for this so called word. There happened to be a link to ask.com asking if I wanted peopled to be used in a sentence. You bet I wanted it to be used in a sentence. At this point I don't believe word or dictionary.com so I click the link and here is the sentence, "We seem, as it were, to have conquered and peopled half the world in a fit of absence of mind." I will not click the change button for this word in my word document.

"Success is never final
Failure is never fatal.
It's courage that counts."

Winston Churchill

" There is a choice you have to make, in everything you do. And you must always keep in mind the choice you make, makes you.

~Anonymous

"Being attached to peoples perceptions of us, is like being attached to a sand castle." -Pema Chodron

Dead Blog

Dear Mike W:

You are correct my blog is dead. I've lost the blog interest or my life just isn't that interesting???
I'll update you bullet style;-)

* Summer started on a bad note and it wouldn't let up. The good news is I spent a day at the lake and everything in my world settled down a bit. I'm a water sign and forget how much I need to see it. Thanks Steph!
* I love, love my internship. I CAN NOT wait to be in the real world designing for real.
* I picked out all the finishes for a veterinarian hospital. The client wanted it to be very spa-like for the doggies. It was fun, stressful and WAY cool. I had to keep all the wacky codes in mind so great challenge. Also, the client like all the finishes I picked, score 1 for me;-)
*I'm suffering with my love/hate for running. Just not into it...I need a new challenge or something different.
*I'm still at Rogue selling dreams and seeing tons of dead toe nails. I don't think people realize I already know what dead toenails look like. I've had my own and quite frankly don't need to see yours. One would be amazed at the things people wanna show me when talking about running...I don't get it. I'm pretty sure I don't wear a sign that begs for you to show me your gnarly feet.
*My birthday is coming and I have NO desire whatsoever to be 36. Yeah, I know it's just a number but as far as I can tell it's a big one and awfully close to the 4-0.
*I went with Kamranto test drive Porsches. I highly recommend this activity. Um, yeah there are no words to describe the way this beautiful sports car drives.
*I have a thing for sports cars, I always have. I had tons of hot wheels when I was a child. I remember saving my money up to go to Wal-Mart and buy new ones. They cost $1.84. I would stand and stare at all of those shiny cars agonizing over which one to buy. I remember having a turquoise trans-am at one point. I loved that car!
*I need a 3rd job. Working for free is rather expensive. sigh.
*I am officially 6 months from graduation. This is going to be one of the BEST days of my life, guaranteed!!! By far the hardest thing I've ever done is go back to school.


Mike does this answer your questions?

New Chapter

I am soooo excited I started my internship today!!! I will be working part-time at STG Design. There really aren't words that can explain my excitement!! The office is cool and is hidden in the woods so there are plenty of great views. We even have a shower in case someone is running trails before work...oh, this knowledge made me smile.

I think the hardest thing for me to get used to is my computer has 2 gi-normous monitors and I spend half my time trying to open a program and think it hasn't opened only to look to my right and see the so called non-opening file big as Texas staring at me...keep looking to the right. It's gonna take some getting used to.

Oh, this place is so organized it's kinda scary. There is some system (no recollection of the fancy name) where we list our strengths with certain programs like 1-5 and the company defines what each of these numbers means. STG is in the process of switching their main 3D software to Revit and not many people in the office know how to use it. Lucky me, I've been using it for my projects for the past year. Yeah, the computer tech listed me as a 3, which is one number shy of teaching other peeps in the office how to used the program...there are only 3-4 other people in this category with me;-) WooHoo!

In other exciting news I did my first long run today. Let me clarify my definition of a long run that would be a whopping 5 mile run. Baby steps people, baby steps!

Anonymous

“The thing is, we have to let go of all blame, all attacking, all judging, to free our inner selves to attract what we say we want. Until we do, we are hamsters in a cage chasing our own tails and wondering why we aren't getting the results we seek.”
Anonymous

Perfect Timing.

Gandhi’s Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World

1. Change yourself.
“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
2. You are in control.
“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”
3. Forgive and let it go.
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
“An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
4. Without action you aren’t going anywhere.
“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
5. Take care of this moment.
“I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following.”
6. Everyone is human.
“I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.”
7. Persist.
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
8. See the good in people and help them.
“I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless myself, I won’t presume to probe into the faults of others.”
9. Be congruent, be authentic, be your true self.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
10. Continue to grow and evolve.
”Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position.”

I can't remember where I found this list, but I like it and its what I need right now in this moment;-)

Quote

What's done is done - William Shakespeare
Shakespeare is talking about acceptance. The facts of the past can never be changed. What we can choose is how we view those facts and whether we allow them to corrupt our future. Whatever happened, you did the best you could, given the knowledge and abilities you had at the time. Tomorrow is a new day. Begin with a fresh outlook that does not project your past into your future.
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Decisions that SUCK!

It's been a long day and one that should have been a happy day since it's the kick-off for spring break...but this thing called adulthood really put a damper on my happy day. I kind of think I need to avoid Friday the 13th from here on out seeing as we've had 2 in the past 2 months and they've both involved some not so great news I'm officially boycotting from now on;-)

It is with great sadness I have decided to postpone my Boston Marathon to 2010. I'm sure I'm making a bigger deal out of this than necessary, but I have shed some tears over today's decision. I am rarely one to have FoMo but I will for sure have it come April 20th.

Maybe

“If you are not making mistakes, that means you’re not trying new things.” Anonymous

Hmmm, wonder if this applies to the ass whooping I took on my Saturday run??? Let's just say I'm still pace 'challenged' and 20 seconds too fast per mile equates to one hell of a blow up;-)

Quote Time

"Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

~ Steve Jobs

HEB

How to explain my hatred of grocery shopping??? I don't know what it is but I LOATHE going to the grocery store. Something about it puts me in a bad mood and makes me want to commit terrible hurtful crimes on people i do not know.

Well, it's a new year and a new training season. I have decided to become a healthy eater...so I went to see the dietician goddess known as Meredith. We came up with some ideas as well as a new grocery store venture. Obviously, she understood the pain of me going to my ghetto neighborhood heb. We decided that twice a month I would go to the super store heb in Kyle on my way home from school. Today was my first day to try this super sized heb. I was all excited hoping for a pleasant experience one that would make me want to find the foods I'm supposed to be eating. Um, yeah, it was more like a living nightmare that involved the typical suburbia box with a grocery cart as high as I am tall (when did the buggies get this big?) next thing you know I am lost in the home area of the store and still haven't found the Alexia potatoes. I'm screwed at this point. So, my hatred for grocery shopping still exists. All I know is there is a new requirement for the men that I date. They will have to do the grocery shopping.

Seriously...

Dear FoHo and Steph your office jobs must be very boring;-)
Well, I'll give y'all a post but no complaining if it's more boring than your job. Remember you asked for it!

Spring Semester '09.

Good news this is my last spring semester, EVER. YEEHAW!!! Finally, there is light at the end of this very dark tunnel.

The bad news. I'm taking 15 hours. I've bitched moaned and groaned about the 12 hours I've taken in past semesters, why not take 15. What's one more class???

The good news about the bad news is 3 classes are online, which means I do homework at home and drive to the ACC campus to take tests. Here's what I think. The syllabus should be posted for all online classes before registration. Drum roll please. Here's why- I have a test, a paper and some forum discussion I must participate in every single week. This may not sound bad except these are classes that have NOTHING to do with Interior Design. Basically, I can't wing it and pull things out of my ass. I actually have to read chapters and take notes. I find this very annoying. I also find it annoying that Texas created the dumbest law on the planet. Don't ask me what the law's name is...something to do with the fact if you did NOT get your degree in the good 'ole state of Texas you must take TX Government, American Govt and 2 History classes. I've taken 3 of the 4 classes, BUT not in the state of Texas. These people are killing me!!! Hello, I barely scraped through the first time and was hoping it was all behind me...I did manage to get 1 of my History classes approved so I only have to take 3 annoying classes.

More good news on these online courses being through ACC, the grades don't affect my grade point at TX State, which means a 'C' is passing and done. The funny thing is I just took my TX Govt test I made a 70. I laughed when I got the score. I said it would be the bare minimum and bye golly that's what I got;-)

I'm It

Ok, I'm it. Jane has tagged me with some specific instructions. Post the 4th picture in my 4th photo album. Here ya go...



I don't think words can express my love of the Golden Gate Bridge. Obviously, it runs deep...when I went into my photo file the 4th album is labeled GGB and all it has are pix of the bridge. This particular picture was taken after I had moved away from the city but was in town to celebrate my 35th b-day. It was a perfect day, sunny and 70 degrees with good friends!!! Thanks Jane!

Just to keep the ball rolling- Dee, FoHo & Kamran you've been tagged;-)

Hopeful

Ahhhh, back to training we go, hi-ho! Actually it's great to be back into a running rhythm. Apparently, Mother Nature did not get the memo I sent in December. I was done with my 2 weeks worth of winter. HELLO- 26 friggin' degrees this morning. I have a thick fleece headband I use for skiing. Note- skiing means snow/cold, a place where one might experience 26 degree weather. I live in Central Texas where one shouldn't experience such conditions. I have been wearing that damn ski band for 2 weeks now, what gives??? I do not live in the North I do not own a snow plow as I find it wrong to need such a yard utensil.

Anyhoo- The point of me posting. I went to 'Happy Office' last night. Really just to sit, listen and hang with my peeps. For the most part I fly under my coaches radar and learn from those around me. It seems ever since my race in December I am sitting on Sisson's radar. Argh!!! The world hasn't ended and he pretty much calls me out on the things I already know but somethings I didn't think he had noticed. Boy, am I wrong. When I'm tired my running form goes to hell in a handbasket. I always knew once tired my arms and shoulders swung side to side. Really a pointless move considering I'm trying to move forward. Well, it seems Sisson noticed I do it ALL the time and when tired it's uber bad. Apparently, my shoulders, back and abs are weak. No shocker there. This am I spent the majority of my run focusing on moving my arms forward instead of side to side. Dear gawd was that hard/impossible. Geez, Louise am I way weaker than I thought. Thanks to Renee I have a 3-month pass to Castle Hill fitness, which I've been using. Tonight we're giving Pilates a chance. Something tells me tomorrow's run is going to be extremely interesting.

Happy New Year!!!

"I think you have to be willing to challenge yourself, to push yourself. To do things that maybe somebody else wouldn't do. To go places somebody else wouldn't go, both literally and metaphorically. That's an important part of really succeeding. If you're risk averse, you may be safe. But you probably won't be brilliantly successful." Dr. Judith Rodin

FoHo...

So my blogging days are somewhat done but back by popular demand- quotes. Yes, one person equals a demand in my world.

I think this one is hysterical and I have no idea where I got it from...

"Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply.
If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.
So - if you give her crap, you will receive more shit than any one human being can handle.
Love and appreciate all the women in your life."

Still Processing...

I'm still trying to wrap my head around my race this past weekend. It was good, bad & ugly.

The Good:
I finished in 3:45:30 which is a 4 minute PR as well as my Boston Qualifying time.
I ran the first 19 miles with my running peeps.
The 3:45 pacer coming up on me at mile 25ish and dragging my ass to the end.
I left nothing on the course.
Team Rogue on the sidelines at end screaming for me- trust me I heard you!
My coaches and friends on streets throughout the race screaming with encouragement.

The Bad:
I was cold.
I missed my goal of 3:39 for the second time.
Mile 18ish realizing it was NOT my day.

The Ugly:
Dehydration.
Blurry vision from mile 20 on.
I think I might have bonked. Still processing.
Absolutely no control over my legs in the final 10k. I've never been here before.
Frozen hands, i.e. dysfunctional.

So, the good out weighs the bad and I get to continue training with my peeps in the spring as we get ready to tackle Boston in April;-)

I Am A MORON!!!

It's quite possible I'm the last person to know this about myself but if I'm not let me tell you the 2 major idiotic things I managed to do in 1 day...

Thursday am I opted to forgo my work-out since I have been dealing with a minor cold and really can't risk it getting worse with my 'A' race around the corner. So I decided to 'sleep in.' For starters this is a bad move on my part. Tuesday/Thursday are school days for me so my day starts at 4:30am. It sounds crazy but I'm used to this routine and can follow it well. Today with the decision not to get up at 4:30am really jacks with my system...as I hit the snooze button so many times I'm at a loss for how long it takes me to get out of my house and to my 8am class on time. The beauty of being a student I don't have to bother with a shower or painting the face;-) Now I have to have enough time to make my coffee, pack half the house and get down to San Marcos.

So I start making my pot of coffee like normal, or so I think it's like normal. I know it takes a bit to brew but seriously what the heck is going on??? there's a smidgen of coffee in the pot but it's not looking to make anymore than the smidgen. Dear goodness coffee pot don't fail me now...if there's ever a day I need some serious caffeine help it's today. I go over to see what the problem is. I open the part that holds the ground coffee and notice it is not even wet from water passing through it. I'm perplexed on this one. After staring at the coffee pot for a good minute, I realize it is not going to tell me it's problem so I start trying to figure this thing out. Apparently, this thing needs water in order to make the coffee??? You heard it hear first one must add water to pot for it to brew FRESH coffee. Idiot moment take 1.

On for my next idiotic moment...this semester involves a 2-hour break after my first class. I've always used this break to go to the gym, lift weights and shower for my next class. Ok, so today was just skip shower but definitely get in the weights. Remember I didn't go to my morning work-out so my stink was at a low, or so I thought;-) When I said my morning routine was whacked I was not playing around. I have a system that my body can follow on automatic pilot...when pilot is lost other people suffer. I'm working on some leg lifts and I'm sitting there trying to remember if I put on deodorant. I kept reminding myself but the whole coffee debacle really threw me off...oh, no please tell me my automatic pilot did this for me...I'm totally sniffing to figure this out. Bad news... I grab my wallet, leave mid-work-out, leave stuff at gym and sprint to the student center. I already stink but at least I'm outdoors now. I go buy deodorant and immediately rush in the bathroom to cake this stuff on...my biggest fear BO...that stuff is awful. Idiot moment #2.

And this is how I ended my school week...

Jibberish

Yes, I know it's spelled gibberish but unfortunately, when I named this blog I didn't realize the spelling at the time was wrong. So I'm officially stuck with jibberish;-)

We're 2 1/2 weeks away from game day and I am so excited!!! The Lydiard training system my coach opted to use this season has been phenomenal. Granted during the summer months I did nothing more than bitch, moan and groan. Some of that was heat/humidity related but the majority of it was from a certain someone being out of shape. She shall remain anonymous;-) There was a point in the training I thought no way in Hell I can qualify for Boston with the piss poor performances I was having and the thoughts of death looking better and better after each practice. Trust me it wasn't pretty. My long runs sported quite a few walk breaks in them, something I've never had to do before. Really that one is a total confidence booster, ugh! However, my wise coach said to me "you're getting there just keep at it." As much as it kills me I must admit he was right (he always seems to be, maybe that's why I pay him) and I was wrong. In all honesty I'm glad to be wrong in this case.

This is the first marathon I've trained for where I'm not mentally burned out and chomping at the bit to get'er done and over with. I find this the worst way for me to enter a race because I have a very flippant attitude to race day once it arrives. Mainly because I'm over IT...I'm ready for my next adventure one that does NOT involve running. This training season is so different. I have rediscovered my love of running. Everyday I wake up excited for my runs. I think this training has finally broken through my mental barrier, which I've always said is my biggest down fall in this sport. If the San Antonio marathoners is any indication of what can happen I'm fired up to see some results!!! Woo!Hoo! Bring on CIM!!!

My Love of Quotes Continues...

“Twenty years from now you will be
more disappointed by the things
you didn't do than by the
ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~Mark Twain

Flirting

You're expecting an exciting post based on the title...ha! unfortunately what is flirting with me needs to get lost;-)

Let's see training season has been great overall...I haven't had an injury since my doozy of an IT band back in '05. So, why the heck is plantar flirting with me now. See what I mean this flirt needs to get lost. I realize my right calf is uber tight and the good news about being a student again I rarely 'have' to wear high heels anymore. Ignore my blog photo. I'm rolling the heck out of my calf on a very tiny ball. This ball is just one size larger than a golf ball and just a tad softer. What I'm getting at is this ball makes me quiver it hurts so bad to roll on. Regardless I am rolling on this teany weany size of a ball almost non-stop...so why is my foot hurting more??? I've made the executive decision not to go to tomorrow morning's work-out and take Friday off as well. I'm hoping to get my calves massaged while I'm at it. Me not running 2 days in a row is not a pretty sight. You may want to steer clear, just sayin.'

And I thought flirting was supposed to be fun...

Processing

I seem to be in a processing mode this semester not too worry I only wish to discuss my process of running. I think I've finally made peace with my IBM 10K 'Race' this past weekend. I was frustrated on a lot of levels and am slowly celebrating the small successes that did come from this race. The week I'm having I have to acknowledge the small successes;-)

I haven't run a 10k since I don't know when. Let's just say before Sunday I did NOT have a 10k PR listed in my little running PR box. This leads me to believe it didn't exist;-)

Goal- 46:33 (7:32 pace)
Actual finish- 48:00 (flat, dead even, 7:44 pace)

Once I finished I was very disappointed with my time even though I knew I left nothing on the course I was unhappy with my results. My coach was quick to say find the successes in it, focus on it and let the disappointment go. Ok, I find that way easier said than done. Well, it's Wednesday and I can officially let it go. Remember I'm slow.

My first mistake at this race was to start in the middle. I spent the first mile dodging people in a very tight space. When I saw the first mile time I knew there was no way to hit my goal. I couldn't move any faster than I had just moved and the time sucked!!! With that said I now know to get behind 'the train' and start from there. I know those peeps start very close to the front. Sorry, the rest can pass me, I will be that asshole. My coach said I could, take it up with him.

1mi= 8:18 (WTH?)
2 mi= 7:33
3 mi= 7:28 (14:55 for miles 3 & 4)
4mi= 7:28
5 mi= 7:32
6 mi= 8:15 (wheels are coming off)
.2 mi= 1:27

Here's what I learned from this race. I am a much stronger runner than I was back in '06 both mentally and physically. I ran 10 miles on Saturday and more than likely ran those miles a little too fast. I worked the rest of the day at the store and drank no water. Ok, I don't recommend this as a good pre-race plan just what I had on schedule for the day minus the lack of water. In a way this so called pre-race plan showed me my progress with the ability to push past the dehydration cramps (this used to stop me dead in my tracks) and find a rhythm regardless of pace and get'er done.

So all in all I'm satisfied with this finish. I still have work to do but know my goal is within reach;-)

Pacing

Pacing is something I hear about non-stop in fact it's something I'm supposed to know how to do. Well, guess what, I can't pace for the life of me. Actually that last statement isn't completely true but it's not far from the truth, I promise. No, I don't want a garmin I don't like looking at a watch non-stop. I am however, bound and determined to figure out how to feel my pace. I have always been one of those get out there and run type gals. Basically, when doing speed work I run 'til it hurts and sometimes this carries over into my long runs as well. Never mind that I've been working with the same coach for the past 2 years and I'm just NOW starting to understand what the hell he's been talking about. Ok, so I'm a little slow on the uptake of some things and I'm glad to finally be getting this message.

Today was one of the hardest work-outs of my life, and I'm beyond ecstatic with the outcome. About a month ago I thought no way in HELL I will be able to pull off a 3:39 at CIM (California International Marathon in Sacramento). I couldn't find my running legs it was like they were on permanent vacation. However, something changed recently- maybe the attitude adjustment I had been struggling with or the sweet kind soul that sent me a kick in the ass e-mail (Jeff- I will be forever grateful).

Let me explain the soul buster work-out. Basically, it was a run from North Austin to the Austin High School track which is more or less in South Austin. We had to put in 18 miles before getting to the track and the route was far from kind. If you're familiar with Austin you know we have some unforgiving hills such as Red Bud Trail & Stratford and yes, we had to knock those out prior to getting to the track. So, not only am I working on the pacing thing I've been trying real hard on slowing down at the beginning of my runs. I tend to act like I'm a dog being let out of the gate. Start hauling ass the second feet hit the pavement and then mid-way lose all steam and crawl to the end. Not a good method of madness for a marathon.

Part 2 of this work-out was all mental. It consisted of 6 miles on the track...that's right 24 friggin' laps on the reddish brown oval in the daylight mind you. The first 2 miles were to be at marathon goal pace (MGP)- Brenda and I nailed this one. Both miles were the exact same. Holy smokes we're awesome, but you already knew that didn't you? The next 2 miles were half-marathon goal pace (HPMG) this is when the mental game really kicks into gear. Again mission accomplished. The final 2 miles (I thought suicide looked good right about now) were to be at your 10k pace. I will spare you the f-bombs I was dropping in my head. Thank goodness Sisson, my coach, was on the track asking how things were going. I knew going for 10k pace prolly wasn't in the stack of cards for me. I told him I'm slipping...his words dial down to MGP if you need to but get 'er done! I'd like to state for the record I may not have hit the 10k pace but I was faster than my HPMG with my form still in tact. It's the small things that make me wanna do the happy dance.

All I've got to say is that track section made me dig down deep to levels I never knew existed and quite frankly, without the sweet souls standing on the track passing out water (did I mention we couldn't stop between these 6 miles) and cheering I would have never found those levels.

My coach, the man of few compliments told me he was impressed with my running. So with a puffed up chest and my posse we hobbled the 3 miles left to the store and 27 miles later I couldn't be happier!!!

Another One

Another good quote for me...

"Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no matter how frightening or difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles."

Og Mandino
1923-1996, Speaker and Author of The Greatest Salesman in the World

This one comes to me at the right time as I'm struggling with school this semester and don't have much enthusiasm towards it anymore. It's a ME problem I know I'm ready to be back in the real world. So, with this quote I'm adjusting my attitude and finding peace as I whip out my latest design. I'm way behind and need to work at lightening speed to get to where I need to be. Bring on the enthusiasm;-)

Interesting

More random things about me. I am a huge LOVER of quotes...the ones that are just shy of saying, "Dear Katie..." they literally have my name written all over it. I even keep a document on my computer of quotes I run across and know I will need to read again some other day. For example: a previous post.

I subscribe to quite a few blogs and a few of them are the sappy kind. Yes, I'm a total romantic at heart. So this gal wrote a post on relationships followed with a ton of quotes...oh, it made my heart go pitter patter. There's only one I will force the 3 of you to read.

“However good or bad you feel about your relationship, the person you are with at this moment is the "right" person, because he or she is the mirror of who you are inside.” - Deepak Chopra

Man, this one hit me square between the eyes. I like it. It makes me stop and rethink a few of my previous relationships and remind myself who I was during those times. I'm happy to say I'm not the same woman I was back then. I'll always be a work in progress but it's always good to have some checkpoints and see I'm moving in the right direction.

Rhythm

My training so far this season has been lacking rhythm. Having off runs is one thing, but several months of bad running is annoying. I guess all of these years I've been lucky. Granted my running/training has always been sporadic. I'm finding the older I get the less sporadic I should be. I'm much more sane with running than without it. Remember sanity is relative and I prolly wouldn't be the poster child for it...just statin' the facts people;-)

Back to the point of my post. Saturday, 'Stella, got her groove back.' Words can't explain Saturday's run. I've felt like a lost soul for awhile now, but Saturday, my soul was found, YEEHAW!!! BTW running is my religion. Seriously, much cooler temps, a sunrise, an all-out 3rd mile on the track, barton hills to climb at the end & great friends to run with what more can a gal ask for...21.7 miles, check!!!

Hmmm

Hmmm, not real sure what to say at the moment. There are so many things running through my mind all at once I don't even know where to begin. I feel like my emotions are on a roller coaster ride that I can't seem to get off of. I'm fighting the urge to pack a back pack and leave the country for a while. Ok, so that's a tad dramatic but it sure would be fun;-)

Let's see my running, the thing I've always considered my outlet for excess emotions has not been my friend. I started training about 2 months ago for my marathon in December and every run feels like the first one after a 6 month hiatus. I've been extremely frustrated to say the least. I know it takes time to get in the groove, but it's like my groove went on permanent vacation. I'm here to tell you if there were ever a time for running to be my friend it would be now. My hydration has been a constant problem. I take nuun, I drink tons of water but nothing ever seems to be enough. Every run has involved tummy stitches. I've even started carrying a water bottle. Ugh! I think there are a number of challenges that will totally pan out I just wish to whine for a moment.

After licking my wounds from my crappy am run I read an e-mail with a question 'what is this supposed to teach me?' It came at the right time, right when I'm ready to question everything and flip the boat for change it forces me to hold on and ride the wave just a little longer. Granted I forgot about the e-mail by this afternoon and clearly, someone is speaking to me...Julia, posted something else to speak to me 'Moral #1 Stick with whatever goal you have chosen for yourself. It will work out.' The e-mail and Julia are right. Ok, I'm done talking to myself;-)

My Tangible True Love

Ok, so we all know my original 'true love'. Well, I also have a tangible true love, it's high heel shoes. Now, I'd like to state for the record since going back to school I have been a very good girl with my shoe purchases or lack there of. I have managed to buy very few cute shoes, only the practical kind read boring type shoes. Excuse me while I pat myself on the back and wipe the tear from my eye. I'm officially sick of being practical, however, I've got another 15 months of the student thing. So needing a reason to buy cute high heel shoes has presented itself. I have a few weddings and events coming up and my generous Mother bought me a cute black dress for these events and for sure I 'need' some cute not so comfortable shoes to go with the dress.

Well, I found some by accident while shopping in Dallas a few weekends ago. I managed not to buy them. My Mom and Sis don't need to witness me spending money...they give me hell. Come on, don't they know every girl needs a little pick up and what better pick me up than some new cute high heel shoes. Ok, so I refrained from buying these oh, so cute shoes. I procrastinated until today and I have a wedding this weekend. I know patience little grasshopper.

Today when sprinting through Nordstrom to get to the Apple store for my appointment at the genius bar there they were. It was like time stopped, the heavens opened and the angels were singing 'Glory Hallelujah' while shining the light on what had to be the most perfect pair of high heel shoes I've seen. I came to a screeching halt. Could it be my dream come true? I turn these beautiful gems over to see the size of the shoes, forget price these babies have taken my breath away. Yes, size 6 on display, that's me. Try them on, perfect fit. A nice sales lady walks up and escorts me to the register. I think a total of 5 minutes went by between the time I saw them and the time they became mine. So, without further ado I introduce to you the perfect high heel shoe;-)